House Bill 179 amends section 119.071 of the Florida Statutes to define "appellate court clerk" and establish a public records exemption for the personal identifying and location information of current appellate court clerks, as well as their spouses and children. This exemption includes home addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, and photographs. The bill also provides for future legislative review and potential repeal of this exemption, with retroactive application. Additionally, it amends section 744.21031 to conform a cross-reference and includes a statement of public necessity.

The bill enhances privacy protections for various public officials, including county and city attorneys, clerks of the circuit court, members of the Florida Gaming Control Commission, and current congressional members, by exempting their personal information from public disclosure. It requires a written and notarized request to maintain the exemption and outlines conditions for releasing this information, particularly in the event of a protected party's death. The act emphasizes the necessity of these exemptions to safeguard public officials and their families from potential threats and is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 179 Filed: 119.071, 744.21031